Physical restraint in elderly in home care: a cross-sectional study

To estimate the prevalence of mechanical restraint and factors associated with its practice in elderly in Home Care.

This was a cross-sectional study with 162 elderly randomly assigned to a home care program in Rio de Janeiro, from March 2018 to July 2018. Used as a technique for data collection and direct observation and structured interview of elderly clinical data. Data were analyzed descriptively and inferentially.

There was a 13% prevalence of mechanical restraint in elderly in home care. The most frequent restraints were the use of bandage, tissues and sheets in the arms/legs and chests of the elderly, and the justification for their use were control of aggressive behavior (28.6%), prevention of falls (19%) and protection (19%). Of the total elderly participants, 42.9% remained contained for more than 24 hours, and in 85.7% of the cases, the individuals were confined to a room.

It is necessary to expand the training of formal and informal caregivers, recommending the rehabilitation of care practices that preserve the elderly's autonomy, giving them dignity, respecting gerontological and home care principles.